yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Well, the "real" Ca-Fi's aren't "straight Ouku's" that's for sure, as the Ca-Fi's all have external mic capabilities out of the box for exactly this reason, and your answer Fireproof is exactly what I feared it would be. (and contradictory to Pumpkin's "Oh the internal mic is great" answer I got from him).

So unless I'd take apart such an "Ouku" type device and remove the build-in mic and solder a cable on it that lets me plug an external mic, this unit is worthless to me.

Hmmmm.... have some thinking to do now. The root is nice and running Torque is great, but I'd rather have a "general-good-headunit" that does everything the box says it does. Maybe I'm better of with a Dashlinq-Innotrends version. No root, but DSP and decent audio part, External Mic, Red Button Illumination and a good Philips based radio chip, or I'll wait till the first good 4.x true dual core come out later this year.

Thank you for your honest input !
[Android Head-Units] Fireproof13:
I'm definitely no expert with this but I'm thinking that having the USB Bluetooth adapter may help the quality, because it isn't just the Mic, the incoming audio through Bluetooth is also garbage...I guess I'll see tonight.
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Well, the "real" Ca-Fi's aren't "straight Ouku's" that's for sure, as the Ca-Fi's all have external mic capabilities out of the box for exactly this reason, and your answer Fireproof is exactly what I feared it would be. (and contradictory to Pumpkin's "Oh the internal mic is great" answer I got from him). Also the Ca-Fi's don't have an internal DVB-T tuner capability, the Ouku Does.

I think the same plastic front is being used by several companies, and that way it looks like this devices are all the same when in fact they can be very different internally. I mean, the first design I saw that was identical to the Ouku from the outside was a WinCe unit ... that's 2 years old (came from audiosources, the AS 8101).

So unless I'd take apart such an "Ouku" type device and remove the build-in mic and solder a cable on it that lets me plug an external mic, this unit is worthless to me.

Hmmmm.... have some thinking to do now. The root is nice and running Torque is great, but I'd rather have a "general-good-headunit" that does everything the box says it does. Maybe I'm better of with a Dashlinq-Innotrends version. No root, but DSP and decent audio part, External Mic, Red Button Illumination and a good Philips based radio chip, or I'll wait till the first good 4.x true dual core come out later this year.

Thank you for your honest input !
[Android Head-Units] G2k0:
Yes thats right. I have to be in AUX mode to see the rear view cam. Once I put it in reverse the video comes up. Out of gear it drops out (like it should). The unit I have has only two inputs. AUX & Camera. Very strange. Others have gotten it to work fine, mine, well I dunno. Been trying to figure that out.

2) That sounds about right. The second part to that I dont know :(

3) Mine shows some info, like station ID & sometimes the track. Guess it depends on your location and radio station

4) The mic does kinda suck. I tend to use my headset (BT) which is paired to my phone.

I'd prefer an android unit over WinCE (for the obvious reasons... APPS, APPS & more APPS) :) The 15-20 sec boot time, well I can live with that :) For what its worth its a very cool HU.
[Android Head-Units] Hal9k_:
Guys, I want to note that the real name of the device discussed here, for which I was making custom firmware - TH8581 or TH8581GA, to be exact.

Manufacturer Website: szcreat.com

OUKU here at anything.
[Android Head-Units] lineyho:
I do not have the Ouku brand. My has no name, but the same firmware & rooted. My stereo sounds awsome weather I'm streaming, DVD, or Bluetooth streaming. I have only taken a few calls coming in on the head unit without using my ear piece. Just received a call last night while I was on the freeway from my brother before I put my bluetooth earpiece in. I have a very loud aftermarket dual exhuast on a small 370z which is already noisy. I could hear my brother crystal clear. Then I ask how I sounded because I was on a new stereo that I just installed, and was thinking that the internal mic & all the car noise would be terrible. The response from my brother was, "are you really in a car? "because I don't hear anything except you voice ?" So after that conversation I decided not to use the ear piece anymore until I get some complaints. I would guess that most of these units have the same tiny mic, so don't know why there big differences between units.
[Android Head-Units] kirill.lrnv:
I bought mine as "Ouku" brand/name, but there are no signs on the unit. Internal mic does not pick up the voice crystal clear, but people on the other end do understand my pretty hard accent, even on the highway with open window(smoking).

rear camera comes up right away, if it put on reverse while booting, it takes less than a second for picture to appear.

As I don't listen to the radio stations, I was surprised of the radio sound quality !

Right after flash(fresh software), booting time was about 15-20 sec, as different apps. were installed, the boot time increased to 40-45 sec. I got used to it already, besides, reverse camera work fine while the device is booting up.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
Mine came in today

I purchased mine from an eBay seller on Monday, and it just arrived. I installed it this evening. It's bone stock - no upgrades yet.

I already had an aftermarket double-din JVC in my 07 Tundra. So, after removing it, I figured I could just reuse the Scoche faceplate/adapter.

That works until I try to put the faceplate over the radio. The radio's front dimensions are about 1/8" to big in all directions, and won't fit through the faceplate. The Scoche faceplate was a universal double-din adapter for the Tundra.

Now, I can't install it. I don't mind ordering another faceplate, but my concern is, if it doesn't fit this one, is there something specific I need to look for when I research a replacement?

Also, I've noticed that my subwoofer has a mild intermittent thump anytime I touch the screen. It's not a designed "heptic feedback" effect. It's almost like a grounding issue. It's very faint, and I can only hear it if everything else is off. With the engine running, or any other background noise, it's not audible. Does anyone else hear that too?
[Android Head-Units] Fireproof13:
I'm having trouble getting hal9k_s root to work. I put the unzipped files on the root of my ad card, then ran mcu update, it shuts off and I hold home and press the volume knob and it just boots up normally.

---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 PM ----------

Disregard...I guess I wasn't holding it long enough.
[Android Head-Units] alejo:
A couple issues with this HU

Hi, as I already said before, I like this unit but now I have discovered a couple of irritating quirks. The first one has to do with the GPS. Since this unit takes its time settings automatically from the GPS module, when you park the car in an underground parking lot and leave it there for some hours, the time seems to reset, just like when you unplug a clock alarm radio.

The second and most annoying problem is the phone app. I had two phones paired to it, and one of them is the one I always use. A few days ago, an incoming call screen showed up but there was no call coming in to the phone. I tried to press the hang up button but the screen remained there. I decided to press the reset buton on the HU and it rebooted normally. However, I have not been able to pair or connect any phone since then. When I enter the phone app and press the search button, it just remains there searching with the animated circle but no phones show up. When I access the configuration screen in that app, the unit shows without any device name, password and auto connect/answer options selected.

I have tried over and over to fill these options and then try to pair the phone, to no avail. Do you know if the rooted firmware might have affected the app? I flashed the old firmware back but the problem remains. If anyone has any clue about this, please describe the solution in this forum.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
The color coding for the power cables don't follow convention either. Yellow is supposed to be constant, and red is switched/accessory. However on thmy unit they're reversed. If hooked up backwards, the unit will not have any power when the key isn't in the on/accessory position.
[Android Head-Units] lineyho:
I installed mine using the factory face plate in a 370z. It was too small also. I took a tremel tool and ground about an 1/8 of an inch or less off the bottom horizontal edge of the retangular hole in the factory face plate. It fit perfect then and you can't see the area that was shaved. Not sure if you buy another faceplate it will fit without any modifications. I'm not a stereo installer, so don't know what is out there. You might need to modify the holes on your metal bracket also to make it fit.
[Android Head-Units] urgodfather:
1) They cant be changed as far as I know. Haven't opened the unit to see the lights used.

2) 20 seconds with bone dry rooted firmware.. more apps = longer boot time. It boots and auto loads w/e you were last using i.e. radio, cd/dvd, etc. (there's nothing wrong with a little boot time lag, ideally you should let the car motor warm up for a min or two anyways, any mechanic will tell you that.)

3) Yes, as long as the radio station actually broadcasts it correctly

4) Hands free in regards to phone calls? The mic does suck a little bit, looking to see if there is a tweak to amp up the mic just enough..

WinCE (Crippled Edition) has always been able to out perform Android in boot times. That's b/c it's so (and I stress SO) compact and lightweight. However, there is only so much that you can do on WinCE. Really you should evaluate the pro's and con's of both, and consider what you want the unit to do. Speaking as a seasoned dev. (started back with WinMo ages ago, and moving on to Android), Android is far superior. I once looked into the WinCE devices, but opted to wait until the Chinese cooked up one with Android, specifically for this purpose.

In regards to reverse functionality, I still haven't wired mine up, so I can't provide any feedback as of yet. From what I have gathered throughout the thread, it works fine if you have it wired correctly.
[Android Head-Units] XlipZ:
I got mine from ebay (lightinthebox) thinking it was Ouku.... but when its arrived i saw the model number TH8581GA in the box....

So.. maybe just add the TH8581 in the topic title..... it will help more users to find this tread..
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
I ordered these items based on your comments. Sadly, when I select Bluetooth on under quick bt app, it says turning on, for about 5 seconds, and then goes back to bt off. I've tried every port on the hub - even w/o the hub, same results.

Root went w/o a hitch, though power + menu meant power + pushing tune button.

I have SU, so I know root is legit.
[Android Head-Units] greekstile:
Bluetooth Dongle

For those looking for a compatible Bluetooth dongle, I have this one and it works perfectly.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00305YGFW?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
ugh, between the one I purchased (that another user said worked just fine), and getting this one, I'm quickly exceeding the cost of just getting a USB-based OBDII adapter.

Has anyone tried a usb version of the OBDII scanner? I'm wondering if that's any more likely to work.

Another thing that troubles me is how a specific BT dongle works for one, but not for another.

Greekstile, are you using a hub with yours? have you tried going direct to the USB cable on the back (or even tried it through the front mini USB port)?

My sequence was:

1) Upgrade/Root with the files provided from this thread

2) Install Quick BT manager

3) Power down

4) Connect 4-port hub with wifi adapter and BT dongle to back USB port

5) Power up unit, wait for system to finish booting

6) Run Quick BT Manager

7) Select "Turn BT on"...

Sometimes it will just blink instantly back to the off position. Other times, it will try to turn it on for about 5 seconds, returning to the off position.

ONCE I was able to get it to turn BT on, and I saw about 10 BT mac addresses listed as "paired but not connected". It happened after trying to turn it on about a dozen times (when it was taking 5 seconds to resort to "off").
[Android Head-Units] urgodfather:
Other user's have reported having this issue too. Just unplug the bluetooth dongle, boot up the head unit, enable bluetooth in quick bluetooth lite, pair your phone if you would like. Leave it paired and just remove the keys from the car to power it completely off, open your door (if your car has the delayed power off on radio). Plug in the bluetooth dongle, and then boot everything back up. Check to see if your phone is connected. One thing I have noticed with my config, using the same components, is that with bluetooth already enabled on my phone, it still takes a min or two after getting sound (radio, dvd playback, etc) from the unit. Even then, when I launch Torque Pro, it still takes a min to fire up the OBD2 dongle (even though it is already paired in QBL). If still no luck, reboot a couple of times.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
I get that far, but without a dongle plugged into the hub (or directly), the "turn BT on" line blinks instantly back to off when I click it. It's as though this Quick BT Manager app doesn't even see the internal BT.

I think (hope) I'm just missing some simple but essential step.

---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 PM ----------

Good to know it isn't the faceplate that's at fault. On the Tundra, the radio sits pretty deep into the trim, so shaving out enough to clear the edges of the radio will be tough. I'm pretty sure the knobs will be right on top of the trim if I do that. I guess I've got nothing to lose by trying...

BTW, the metal brackets that came with the Scoche kit fit this new radio perfectly - putting the radio at exactly the same height and depth of the JVC.
[Android Head-Units] greekstile:
erkme73, I am using a 4 port hub. It works fine connected directly to the rear USB cable or through the port. I have not tried the front mini USB port. Hal9k_ specifically said it would only work on the rear.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
I'm beginning to think I got a bad BT dongle. I just noticed that the little blue LED inside the unit is staying on solid, but very dim. It was originally blinking about once per second (full brightness). I tried plugging it into my Win7 PC, and it won't even recognize that hardware's been plugged into a usb port. I tell ya, if Murphy exists, he's on me something fierce...
[Android Head-Units] Fireproof13:
Got the unit rooted last night, torque is working perfectly (except it thinks my car is 718 hp lol), I can't seem to get my phone to pair through Bluetooth with the new dongle. I'm gonna mess with it more today.
[Android Head-Units] Hal9k_:
For those, who can not turn on the Bluetooth dongle:

Determine the VID and PID of your adapter and google whether it supported by the Linux driver btusb

Definitely not supported Blusoleil dongles.

Using a 4 port hub is not necessarily.
[Android Head-Units] Cool82:
New Pumpkin´s video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Kbm09cHQQ

I suppose technically that unit is the same as they sell but with a different launcher

I think the screen is capacitive because if you look at minute 5:33 bottom right you can see an application that says: ´´multitouch test´´.

What do you think?
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
That's a very interesting link. I clicked on his store link (in the video description), and found this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-2-Double-...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6cdb2046

This is the same unit (front and back) as what I just bought, and they're marketing it with Android 4.0. Next question is, how can we get a copy of that rom??

---------- Post added at 01:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:36 AM ----------

Also, is anyone else also unable to get user-account specific logins and apps? For example, with Youtube, I can't login - I get and error... even when I start playing other videos, as it appears the app is trying to sync with my account.

This stretches to other things too, like calendar... how does one get these things to sync with a google account?
[Android Head-Units] birdman86:
any pictures available?
[Android Head-Units] Cool82:
I think that puts Android 4.0 are not pure. They use Win CE and Android.

Normally this seller places'' Pure'' android in the product description.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
Yes you're probably right. Just saw the picture showing "push here to start android 4.0". Good catch. Darn it.
[Android Head-Units] greekstile:
Yup, that is WinCE based for sure.
[Android Head-Units] kaween:
Can anyone give me a decent explenation why this is "bad" ? I mean, other than the fanboyish "because CE sucks". CE doesn't suck. It's old and seriously limited, but very fast in terms of boot, it's stable as a house (haven't seen my current CE unit crash once) and in terms of stable navigation software, there's still quite a lot on the market for it though the market is definitly shifting towards Android.

What kind of limitations/problems are there with these dual-OS units that render them "avoidable at all cost" ?

Not looking to start an argument and yes I'm quite aware about Androids' superiority over CE in most aspects,but I'm just wondering about this as I haven't seen a logical and neutral explenation for this.

Ah, and acutally, "letting your car warm up for a minute or two" as suggested is a pretty bad idea with "ye normal, modern engine", which any car tech will confirm who hasn't been living under a rock for the last .. 20 years or so. The moment cars came with a pleitora of sensors, Ecu's, catalysators and stuff, the whole "let your car run idle to warm up" not only became counterproductive, it's actually as bad for the car as "flooring it right from the moment of ignition". http://www.motherearthnews.com/ask-our-experts/warming-up-your-car-zb0z1205zmat.aspx#axzz2P195L7WW
[Android Head-Units] greekstile:
I don't think WinCE is bad, necessarily. It serves a purpose and works well. However I think the openness of Android, the possibility of roms and customization etc. appeal to a lot of us. Those dual OS systems are basically running WinCE. A neutered version of Android is there, but still runs under WinCE. So I don't think it would be possible to upgrade the android part, root it, roms, etc.

It may serve a purpose, but it still isn't really android.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
What is involved in getting true gapps integration? Specifically, contacts and calendar syncing. I've installed go dialer, which works, right up until I try to choose my google account - at which point it crashes.

I don't understand the mechanics of getting this 2.3.4 OS more like a traditional phone/tablet functionality. Are these things that can be flashed (presumably from ADB or recovery), or installed with an apk?

It's such a shame to come so close to being the perfect fit, but fall just short of eliminating the need to pull my phone out of my pocket while driving...
[Android Head-Units] artash44:
android 2.3.4 6.2"

Did your unit come with root access? Is root access required for OBD2 to function. I have ordered a unit from EBay so I don't know what to expect.
[Android Head-Units] Cool82:
Someone bought a screen protector for this unit?

are 7 inch screen. http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1846954&stc=1&d=1364690139
[Android Head-Units] artash44:
Android 2.3.4

Hi,

I was hoping you could help me. I ordered this unit from Ebay and I want to use Torque with it. Do I need to root it? I haven't received the unit yet. How do I root the unit?

Operation System: Android 2.3.4

CPU: FREESCALE I.MX535D Cortex A8 1GHz

Ram: DDR3 512M

iNand Momery: 4G

OSD Languages: English, etc...
[Android Head-Units] Jake Bullit:
Look back to around post 100,you will need root and a Linux compatable dongle.

Sent from my HTC HD2
[Android Head-Units] G2k0:
I actually used a screen protector made for a Nexus 7 and had to cut it to fit. I dont think there is anything "over the counter" you can buy to exactly fit that screen.
[Android Head-Units] artash44:
Thanks for the link.

I found your post moments after translating the Russian site, registering and downloading the link only to find you had done all the hard work. I should get my unit in a few days, hope I don't mess it up.
[Android Head-Units] Hal9k_:
artash44, I was posted a direct link to the firmware on dropbox. See my previous posts.
[Android Head-Units] artash44:
OBD2
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
I just fired this off to the seller from whom I purchased the radio:

It's obvious, based on the time of their replies (usually between 9p and 5a), and the very poor English, that I'm dealing with a Chinese rep. The seller listed the shipping location as "California, USA". Shortly after placing the order, I received an email from them, stating they were out of stock and wanted my authorization to ship directly from China - with DHL express. I approved, under the condition that if I had any reason to return it, I could ship it to CA, not China - they confirmed.

I realize the support for this product from the XDA community will only get better, but after 35 pages of discussion here, the result is a crippled rooted version of 2.3.4. Without true GAPPS support, and the inability to configure your Google account synchronizations, all we have is a dumbed-down OS that is devoid of the most useful elements of Google services.

I hate to come down hard on a product - especially in its infancy. But I was really expecting to be able to use this as a functional cell phone alternative... That is, get notification of new emails on my head unit, and actually be able to see/read the email on the screen (and avoid pulling my phone out of my pocket).

Now, on to a bigger question - is it possible to UNroot this device, and get it back to the original firmware? If not, I'll return it as is - and let American Express deal with a charge back if they cry foul.
[Android Head-Units] Hal9k_:
Yes, just flash the original firmware.

It's impossible in the stoсk firmware. But it will be possible in the new version of my custom firmware.
[Android Head-Units] maverick831:
Need help with steering wheel hookup

I just got my ouku 2din radio I must say I am loving it but I. Unsure what I need to get the steering wheel controls to work. Do I have to buy a seperate unit and if so which kind all help would helpful.
[Android Head-Units] erkme73:
Did I miss it linked somewhere in this this thread, or how do I obtain that... the original firmware?
[Android Head-Units] G2k0:
You should be able to find something out there. Look for any 7" tablet screen protector (kindle or nexus 7). I've also seen universal ones that you can also cut to size. I had to cut it to fit. Dont remember the exact dimensions, just placed it over my screen & marked up with a sharpie where I needed to cut it. The one I got was from a local store called Microcenter and was under $20.

I used this one:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/408049/Anti-Glare_Screen_Protector_for_Amazon_Kindle_Fire_HD_7
[Android Head-Units] Cool82:
Peter of Pumpkin testing my unit before sending me today. I asked him to undertake a video when he received my unit from the factory.

In one week I'll have it in my house. I'll tell you how it goes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EiwFZOyrnE

Is a capacitive screen...you can see at the end of the video
[Android Head-Units] urgodfather:
http://www.cnkick.com/litb/Downfile/421645ROM_MCU2.10.6-1-10-12.12.32.zip
[Android Head-Units] Fireproof13:
This may have been addressed already but I couldn't find it. Is there any way to make this unit work with ad-hoc networks after it has been rooted. I really would like to use my phones hotspot.